The Touring and Automobile Club of Iran has pledged to increase its support for Iranian tourism businesses to help them take part in international expos in the wake of emerging troubles gripping the sector.
With the dramatic decline in the value of the rial against foreign currencies and the rising costs of touring companies, attending foreign exhibitions has become more difficult for the businesses.
“TACI will offer subsidies and other facilities to the companies active in tourism and related industries as well as handicrafts and traditional arts to enable them to promote Iran’s capacities in the world,” Ramin Afshari, head of the club said.
He also mentioned TACI’s plans to have a more effective presence in the two upcoming tourism events namely Japan tourism expo and France’s Top Resa.
Nevertheless, there are fears that Iran might miss the 2019 editions of the major global trade fairs due to financial complications resulting from reimposed US sanctions.
Japan Expo Elusive
According to Seyed Abbasali Emamieh, Iran’s tourism representative in Japan, although Iran is eligible to take part in Japan’s global event, the prevailing restrictions caused by the US sanctions on financial activities might actually work as an impediment.
“Japan’s strict adherence to America’s imposed sanctions against Iran’s banking and monetary activities, plus the resulting limitations on advertising, directly hinder Iran’s presence in the event,” Mehr News Agency quoted the official as saying.
Due to the recent depreciation of the national currency, the cost of participation in the event will almost triple, Emamieh said, adding that the weak financial support by the government adds to the problem.
“The government solely offers a 10% subsidy on all expenses and the rest is on the private sector to pay. This is while the reverse is the case in most other countries, enabling the participants to freely work on promoting their potential in the events,” the official said.
Withstanding all the restrictions, Emamieh emphasized that Tabriz and Hamedan should actively show up in the current year’s event, which is to commence on September 20.
“We have called on the tourism officials in the Iranian historical cities to take part in the expo and promote their potential through advertising materials; however, we have seen no sign of interest on their part so far,” Emamieh added.
A comprehensive travel trade event, Tourism EXPO Japan offers a fusion of opportunities, ranging from business meetings, insight sharing, discussions, media coverage and direct business-to-business and business-to-customer promotion of overseas, domestic and inbound tour products, facilities and destinations.
This year’s expo will take place from September 20 to 23 with the participation of 1310 companies from 130 countries and regions.
